New Art by The Little Bits Workshop Brightens a Formerly Blank Wall at the River Forest Public Library

We’re delighted to share a beautiful new addition to the River Forest Public Library, created by a group of talented young artists from The Little Bits Workshop. Under the guidance of owner Liita Forsyth and art instructors Jean Bacom and Susan Charette, students designed and created four unique works of art that now enhance the east wall of the library’s upper level.

Magazine Mosaics

Three of the pieces are vibrant collage works featuring a chickadee, a monarch butterfly, and an owl. Created over several months, each piece began as a large black-and-white image mounted on canvas. They used a small color version for reference. The young artists then looked through magazines to find all the colors in the birds and the butterfly and then applied them to the surface of the black and white copy.

The process is much like assembling a puzzle—except the “pieces” come from printed materials that are repurposed into a collage.

The Owl

At the center of the display is the owl, the largest of the three mosaics. Long regarded as a symbol of wisdom and insight, the owl represents intuition, knowledge, and the ability to see beyond the surface. Its steady gaze invites viewers to pause and reflect.

The Chickadee

Small but spirited, the chickadee symbolizes curiosity, joy, and resilience. This cheerful bird reminds us that even the smallest moments can bring delight.

The Monarch

Inspired by the library’s native garden, the monarch butterfly is depicted resting among milkweed—an essential plant for its lifecycle. This piece celebrates both the beauty of nature and the importance of local habitats.

The Reader

The fourth piece, The Reader, brings a human element to the display. One of the workshop’s young artists modeled for this artwork. His photo was printed nearly life-size, then cut out and used to trace the silhouette. The art team then painted and collaged a flurry of imaginative floral energy all around him to symbolize the magical places that a book can take us.

The Birds

Surrounding all of the mosaic pieces are silhouettes of birds. While Liita said she was inspired by swallows, library staff have come to think of them as our resident Chimney Swifts, which have occasionally found their way into the building through the fireplaces over the years.

Several additional works throughout the library have also been generously gifted by The Little Bits Workshop. We are deeply grateful for their continued partnership and for sharing their creativity with our community.

We invite you to visit the library to experience these new pieces—along with other Little Bits Workshop art—on permanent display.